Page 110 of Not Your Ex's Hexes
“You can’t survive much longer on the amount of sleep you’re getting, Olly. Eventually, there will be a breaking point. The people who love you don’t want to see that happen.”
“He keeps telling me it’s a money thing.”
“And that very well may be. New York rent isn’t cheap.”
Olive didn’t look convinced. “He’s managed fine on his own all this time.”
“Circumstances change. Bax doesn’t exactly go around spewing about his personal life—especially anything to do with angeling. For all we know it could be crap pay—or no pay. Maybe he’s not managing as well as he’d led us to believe.”
Olive pushed her glasses up. “You think that’s it?”
“Honestly, I don’t know. But whether he extended the offer because of a hero complex, or a financial one, what we both know is that he wouldn’t have offered unless he meant for you to accept it.”
The youngest Maxwell sighed. “I don’t want to go from the frying pan into the bubbling cauldron.”
“There may be some boxer-clad sports-watching in your future, but Bax won’t be dealing magical herbs from the living room sofa.”
“That’s not what I meant.”
Rose waited expectantly for elaboration.
“He’sBax. Listening to celestial sexcapades through bedroom walls isn’t high on my to-do list. I’d rather deal with stinky herbs.”
“Celestial sexcapades?” Rose burst out laughing, tears coming to her eyes.
“You know what I mean!”
“Honestly, I don’t, but I really wish I did.”
“It looks like someone nabbed my hiding spot before I could get here.” A familiar voice had both sisters looking up.
Wearing a gorgeous green silk gown that molded to her curves, Callie stood in front of them, her eyes smiling. “Is there room for one more?”
“Have a seat and join the hideaway party.” Rose patted the spot next to her. “We were talking about celestial sexcapades.”
The other witch’s eyes lit up. “This conversation sounds a hell of a lot more interesting than anything happening out there. But be forewarned, I may use this opportunity to convince you why itwould be awesome to work together, too. I haven’t forgotten you still owe me an answer about Sparks of Hope.”
“Consider me warned.” For the first time in a while, Rose let herself enjoy the moment—and the company. And she didn’t worry about societal optics.
Jasper kicked the stall door, the force quaking the entire barn. A few more hits like that and the damn thing would cave regardless of the reinforcements made.
Miguel, his mouth pulled into a frown, studied the freaked-out creature in front of them. “What the hell has gotten into him? He was perfectly fine this morning. He even let Terrance groom him.”
“He’s been like this for an hour, and he won’t let me get within four feet of him so I can check him out.” Demonstrating, Damian reached for the stall latch. The stallion’s nostrils flared as he reared, kicking out yet again. “If he keeps this up, he’ll hurt himself.”
“Rose has a way with him. Maybe she could calm him enough so you can peek under the hood.”
Damian shook his head. “She’s at some event for the Kids’ Community Center. I don’t want to bug her for something like this. I’m the vet for hell’s sake. I should be able to manage one horse.”
Miguel watched him curiously, but he ignored it, studying the frightened animal in front of him. Or struggling to. His thoughts drifted to Rose, which is where they’d been when he’d barely dodged Jasper’s first kick to the head.
He’d told himself that he couldn’t have gone to the fundraiser even if she’d asked. Not with a new equine resident arriving first thing in the morning. And now with Jasper’s freak-out, he was especially glad he hadn’t left.
FBs didn’t serve as escorts to upscale, high-society events whereeveryone talked about who was wearing what, and who was wearing who. Especially if that FB was him. Those puff-and-parades were more Julius’s thing, a stage where he could flaunt his stuff and his latest side piece.
Yet he couldn’t help wondering what it would’ve been like to have Rose on his arm… to hold her close for a dance or two. Without clothes. With clothes. Dressed in a four-layer snowsuit. It didn’t matter. He just liked having her nearby.
And fuck… that’s why he’d tried keeping his distance the last few days. He liked having her around too damn much for it to be good for either of them.
